As a founding member of the New Balance University Basketball League, Victoria University hasn’t just been part of the competition since day one — it has helped shape what university basketball in Australia has become.
Since joining the league in 2021, VU has grown into one of the UBL’s benchmark programs, combining consistent on-court success with a culture that places connection, accountability and belonging at the center of everything they do.
Over the past five seasons, the program has developed into a major part of the university’s sporting identity and earned a reputation as one of the competition’s strongest and most respected teams.
At the heart of that success is Vulture Culture.
More than a slogan, it is the foundation of the program’s identity — representing Victoria University with pride, putting the team first and creating an environment where every student-athlete feels supported to grow.
Players arrive from different cultures, backgrounds and basketball pathways, but quickly become part of one united VU family.
One of the defining features of the program is the connection between the men’s and women’s teams.
The two squads operate as one program, supporting each other throughout the season, celebrating successes together and helping create a genuine sense of unity across the entire VU basketball community.
That culture is matched by a strong game-day environment at the VU Community Sports Stadium, where students, staff, families and the wider basketball community come together to create an exciting atmosphere that continues to grow each season.
Most importantly, the UBL has helped establish a genuine student-athlete environment at Victoria University, where athletes can pursue high-level basketball while continuing to succeed academically and prepare for life beyond the game.
“What sets VU apart isn’t just the basketball we play — it’s the people, the relationships and the sense of belonging that comes with being part of the Vulture family.”
VU basketball is built around speed, pressure and togetherness.
The Vultures want to play fast at every opportunity, pushing the ball in transition, attacking early and keeping opponents under constant pressure.
Defensively, they pride themselves on competing hard, disrupting rhythm and creating turnovers that can be turned into quick scoring opportunities at the other end.
But the style is about more than just pace.
Their identity is driven by Vulture Culture — a team-first mentality where players trust one another, share the ball and compete for each other on every possession. The emphasis is on making the extra pass, creating the best available shot and ensuring every player is connected to the game on both ends of the floor.
With athletes coming from a wide range of backgrounds and basketball pathways, the Vultures combine different strengths and experiences into one unified group whenever they step on the court.
The result is a style that is fast, aggressive and unselfish, backed by a culture that values accountability, connection and representing Victoria University with pride.
“We play an up-tempo style, looking to push the pace in transition, apply pressure on defence and share the ball to create the best scoring opportunities.”
Victoria University’s program is led by two highly respected coaches whose experience across NBL1, national championship and elite player development pathways has helped establish the Vultures as one of the UBL’s most consistent and respected programs.
The women’s team is coached by Elias Palioyiannis, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished coaches in Victorian basketball.
With more than two decades of coaching experience, he currently serves as Head Coach of the Waverley Basketball Association’s NBL1 programs. His résumé includes multiple finals appearances, an NBL1 South Women’s Championship and a National Championship in 2024. Beyond the results, Palioyiannis is known for his ability to develop players, build strong team cultures and create high-performance environments where athletes are challenged to improve while feeling supported throughout their journey.
On the men’s side, Geremy McKay brings a unique perspective through his recent professional playing and coaching experience.
A former player in both the Australian NBL and New Zealand NBL, McKay understands firsthand what it takes to compete at an elite level. He has also coached within the Melbourne Tigers pathway, giving him valuable experience in developing young athletes and preparing them for higher levels of basketball.
Together, Palioyiannis and McKay have helped strengthen the identity of VU basketball through their combined experience, attention to detail and commitment to player development.
Their leadership continues to drive the standards that have made the Vultures one of the competition’s benchmark programs, ensuring student-athletes are supported not only as basketball players, but also as students and future professionals.
One of the most experienced players in the program, Jack Gandolfo is a proven leader who brings composure, competitiveness and a high basketball IQ to the Vultures. Whether it’s making key plays, leading from the front or settling the group in important moments, Gandolfo has the ability to impact games in a variety of ways. His experience and leadership make him a crucial part of the VU program and a player the team will continue to rely on throughout the season.
The men’s team captain, Mason Gaze is a player with tremendous upside and one of the most exciting all-around talents in the squad. Coming from a strong basketball background, Gaze combines skill, athleticism and an excellent understanding of the game. He can influence both ends of the floor and has the ability to take over stretches of a game when needed, making him a key figure in the Vultures’ ambitions this season.
One of the most dynamic athletes in the competition, Marach Marach brings length, athleticism and versatility that create difficult matchups for opponents. His energy can quickly change the momentum of a game, and he continues to impact contests through scoring, defence and the hustle plays that often lift the entire team.
Women’s captain Casidhe Green embodies everything the Vulture Culture stands for. Now entering her fifth UBL season, Green brings toughness, leadership and a relentless team-first mentality every time she steps on the court. Her defensive intensity, energy and ability to make winning plays have a major influence on both the team’s performance and its culture.
A strong all-around presence for the Vultures, Chelsea Suemai is a player the team can rely on in important moments. Her competitiveness, consistency and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor make her a key piece of the women’s program, while her knack for making the right play at the right time brings a steady influence to the group.
One of the most exciting new additions to the program, Hayley Courts arrives for her first UBL season with VU bringing skill, composure and a high level of basketball IQ. Courts has the ability to influence games in multiple ways and adds another layer of talent and experience to an already strong Vultures squad. Her arrival gives VU even more depth as they look to remain among the league’s leading programs.
What sets Victoria University apart isn’t just the basketball we play — it’s the people, the relationships and the sense of belonging that comes with being part of the Vulture family.
VU UBL Team
For a program that has been part of the UBL since day one, Victoria University has built its reputation through some of the competition’s biggest matchups.
But in 2026, the fixture generating the most curiosity is the Vultures’ first-ever meeting with Monash University.
New opponents always bring a different kind of excitement.
There are no previous results, no established history and no guarantees — just two ambitious programs eager to make a statement.
For VU, it is a chance to test themselves against a fresh challenger and help shape what could become one of the league’s newest Victorian rivalries.
These are the games that create new stories, spark rivalries and produce the moments players remember long after the final buzzer. The Vultures are embracing the opportunity to welcome a new program to the league — and to make sure the first chapter of this matchup is one worth remembering.
For Victoria University, the UBL is about much more than winning games — it is about creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive, build lifelong connections and proudly represent the Vulture Culture.
That culture comes to life on game day at the VU Community Sports Stadium, where music, live commentary, game-day activations and a passionate crowd transform every home fixture into a true university sporting experience.
Students, staff, families and the wider basketball community all play a role in creating an atmosphere that is welcoming for supporters while providing a challenging environment for visiting teams.
One of the traditions that best captures the spirit of the program is VU’s unique nickname tradition.
Every player and coach is given a nickname when they join the program, and once it is earned, it becomes part of their VU basketball identity for the rest of their journey. Alongside the strong connection between the men’s and women’s teams, this tradition helps build the sense of belonging and unity that has become a defining part of the Vulture family.
The impact of the program also extends well beyond the court.
Through the UBL, students gain valuable work-integrated learning opportunities across osteopathy, physiotherapy, media, photography, social media and game-day operations, while music students contribute to the entertainment and atmosphere that makes VU home games special. These opportunities allow students from across the university to apply their skills in a live sporting environment while building valuable professional experience and industry connections.
As one of the UBL’s founding members, Victoria University has played an important role in shaping the growth of university basketball in Australia.
Across five seasons, the Vultures have established themselves as one of the competition’s most consistent and respected programs, combining multiple finals appearances with a culture that prioritises people, relationships and the student-athlete experience.
With a fast, team-first style of play, experienced leadership across both squads and a program built on hard work, accountability and connection, Victoria University enters 2026 determined to continue building on its proud history and set the standard for what a university basketball program can be.
University: Victoria University
2025 Result: Men’s Tenth Place | Women’s Twelfth Place
Claim to Fame: A founding UBL member and one of the competition’s most consistent programs
Style of Play: Fast-paced, high-pressure and team-first
Rival to Watch: Monash University
Players to Watch: Jack Gandolfo, Mason Gaze, Marach Marach, Casidhe Green, Chelsea Suemai, Hayley Courts
2026 Goal: To continue building on their proud UBL history while strengthening the Vulture Culture and competing at the highest level
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